2015: A year in pictures

They say a picture paints a thousand words...so here is a few thousand words worth!

At each and every race that we take part in up and down the country, you can almost always guarantee that there will be somebody out there that will have a camera. Be it an amateur, or a professional, these people are important and provide something special, as they capture a moment and can help to ensure memories are both made and remembered.

I am particularly grateful to the likes of David Wood, who covers a massive amount of races locally and always provides brilliant images, that he then shares through Facebook. At Wesham, the likes of Mick Edge, Nigel Shepherd and Steven Gore are all likely to have their camera out too if they aren't running themselves.

It's great, because it means that if you aren't able to make an event, you are still able to get some sort of an idea as to what you have missed. Pictures can tell the story of the muddy crosscountry courses, the brilliant fancy dress costumes, the fight at the front end of races, the pain, the weather, the smiling faces, the crowds of runners and the incredible atmosphere that you can find on a race day.

I have been particularly lucky to have some fantastic pictures to help remember a truly special year on a personal level, so here are a few that help me sum up my 2015:

January

January saw me start the year with a new half marathon pb at Inskip, as coach Rob Affleck paced me around the first 11 miles on my way to a time of 72:36. It was a promising sign for my marathon training as it was almost 2 minutes quicker than my previous best.

February 

Having finished 7th place in the Lancashire Championships crosscountry, I had narrowly missed out on an automatic selection for the Lancashire team for the Intercounties Championship. A solid performance in the northern crosscountry championships, held at Pontefract, helped me towards my goal of making the team.

March

Being selected for the Lancashire team was a special moment. I had made it one of my ambitions to run for my County and get that vest, so to be able to do so was fantastic. Unfortunately for me, I had a slightly disappointing run on the day. But it was a great experience, and hopefully I will be able to give it another crack again.

April

I think it is fair to say that everyone has heard and read enough about my Marathon experience this year...but if not you can always get a copy of the Guardian's Weekend magazine on Boxing Day, rumour has it there will be a bit more about it in there!

But seriously, it was an unbelievable experience, and a plot that even I couldn't have written. What made it even more special was that I was able to share the day with my friends and family. To be able to see Molly after the race was a particular highlight. She is so, so supportive of my running and my attempts to push myself to improve. To have her by my side, travelling here, there and everywhere as my lucky mascot and number one supporter is so important to me. Likewise with my mum and dad, who have always been brilliant and supportive in all my big ideas, plans and efforts. Thanks guys x

May

I made a quick return to racing after the marathon by doing Worden Park 10k and Lytham 5 mile interclub race. I was pleased with my performances as I won both, feeling good in spite of the toll the marathon had taken.

June

I took another step towards the Interclub title with a win at Preston's race, before my best finish yet at Freckleton Half Marathon - with a 4th place finish in 72:02.

July

I clinched the Interclub championship by winning Thornton Cleveley's home race, one ran in ridiculous heat of mid 30's degrees. Many suffered in the heat on one of the hottest days of the year on the prom.

August

God I miss running in the sun! Summer saw me of using on the shorter distances, I had some real close battles against Ray Edgar in the Catforth 5k series, and look forward to more of the same next year!

September

September was dominated by relays, with the North West and Northern Championships following on from one another in successive weeks. I was happy with both my runs on leg one in each. The standard in the Northern's at Stanley Park was particularly good, so to get a top 10 placing was very pleasing. I also set my current 5 k pb this month, and finished 2nd behind Dave Rigby at Run Preston 10k.

October 

The whole Palma experience was incredible, and I would strongly recommend anybody to give it a go. To win the race and get to fly the British flag on the Podium just topped off an amazing weekend of fun in the sun.

November 

Winning my home race was another box ticked off from my list of things-to-do, and it went a long way towards making up for a disappointing showing at Leeds Abbey Dash two weeks previously.

December

?

No races yet for me this month, but I'm hoping to be able to have something to show from next Sunday, as I head off to Ribble Valley. Whatever happens, it's been a special year and one that I will always remember, especially with all these photos!

Training update.

Firstly, allow me to start with a couple of apologies - for missing last week's blog(!) and also another one in advance, as I will hopefully be spamming you all with a couple more blogs this week as I finish the year and spend the Christmas break reviewing the last 12 months, reporting on the final race of 2015 at Ribble Valley 10k and finally looking ahead to what's in store for 2016.

Anyway, let's start off with a catch up about the last couple of weeks. After the abandonment of Guys 10, I had toyed with the idea of doing Longridge 7 the following weekend, however after a tough week of training - and also being fed up of slogging it out in the horrible weather(!) - I decided against that particular plan, settling instead for a long run on the Saturday and an easier ten on the Sunday. 

My long runs over the last couple of weeks have been nice and consistent, with three 17 milers in the last three weeks with an average pacing of 6:35-6:40.

Similarly my overall mileage has been consistent too. The last two weeks have seen 76 miles, followed by a 77 mile week. I have managed to maintain a steady 75 mile plus average by keeping up the early morning runs before work a couple of times a week, adding miles that I would otherwise have found pretty much impossible to fit in to my week at our busiest period of the working year.

I have also managed to push on with a new phase in my progression with my speed training on the track. In the last couple of weeks I have done my first ever 400 metre session and following that with a 800 metre session the week after. 

This week will see the final race of my calendar year, with Ribble Valley 10k bringing the curtain down on 2015. It will be 4 weeks since my last race at Wesham 10k, which is my longest break between events for quite some time. I am hoping that this break, whilst maintaining a high volume and intensity of training might see me approach the start line in fresh shape and able to give everything to finish the year on a high and hopefully with a new 10k pb.

We will see...